Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Is now the Time to Make a Job Change?

Paul praying with you as you discern… ;)

Since we’re already on the topic…are you wondering if it’s time to change employers?

Two weeks ago, Pastor Lisa Lewton wrote about the benefits of staying in a position for a long tenure. She is living proof that long-haul pastoral leaders have a big effect on generosity.

Last week I responded by affirming how valuable a gift officer becomes as their time at an organization stretches long — and how costly for the organization it is to lose a person like that.

But I also affirmed that the shorter-term fundraiser has a value of their own, and that you can be the one who makes a big impact, both for the donor and for the institution.

Having a long stay or a short tenure is the result of how you answer that question: Is now my time to make a job change?

When you entered the fundraising profession, that first job didn’t pay very well. You were promising, but unproven. They could get away with paying you less for a while.

Over time, you have become a more valuable player:

· Other colleagues moved on or retired.

· Your knowledge of the agency has grown.

· Your familiarity with the donor community has deepened.

· You have received some nice gifts.

Tempting positions in other places are posted. Maybe your phone rings — are you interested? It always feels good to be sought-after! Should you persist, hang on to what you’ve built? Or leverage your experience to start over in a new place?

Personally, I have left jobs for various reasons, including:

• Promotion;

• Devotion;

• Location;

• Innovation;

• Termination.

• Remuneration.

Doesn’t make me an expert, but I have been up and down Discernment Avenue. Even made the right choice sometimes!

I have three things you can ask yourself as you decide:

Can I survive? Can I grow? Can I lead?

Can You Survive?

In short, if it feels like you’re trying to survive your job, you have your answer. I realize you need a job, and perhaps you can’t just quit. (You almost certainly could manage, actually.) If you’re struggling with mistreatment, disrespect, negative leadership, or unmanageable demands, you need to get realistic and start hunting your next employer. Situations like that don’t change.

Sometimes, due to misfortune or crisis, even a good situation can temporarily turn into a survival situation. In a case like that, you and other staff are probably all in it together. You’re working extra hard to hold things together. It might be invigorating and trust-building! You might decide to stick it out.

But if you do, be on guard for two things: 1) When loyalty is demanded, or 2) the organization’s recovery window closes and the place gets mired long-term. It’s time to go.

Nobody wants to be the first to go — you hate to increase your friends’ workload. Think of it not a cop out. but as courage and self-leadership. Others will get permission by your example to do what’s best for them.

Survival usually means “time to go.”

Can You Keep Growing?

Which choice will help you grow as a fundraiser and as a person — staying or switching?

Obviously, growth could take place down either road! But let’s think it through.

You can grow by making a change. Taking a promotion in a new place is exhilarating, exhausting, full of challenge — OTJ beats MBA every day. Working in a new system forces you to update your skills, distill past experiences, and discover best practices in a way that’s simply unavailable to those who “will be here till the end of time.”

You can make a change by growing where you are. Deep roots are good. Long relationships can lead to large donations…if you find ways to stay fresh!

· Make a personal inventory. Where have you grown stagnant? What aspects of the work do you avoid? Change one or two habits, and freshen things up.

· What makes you curious? Learn something new and bring it back to the staff. Read a book, attend a conference, negotiate a sabbatical.

· Opportunities for change and growth come your way organically, too. Your collage of co-workers will change — a growth opportunity if you recognize it as such. Though your job title might stay the same, your role in the system will change.

You can “leave” the job that you’ve outgrown by remaining in place and making it new.

Can You Lead There?

You don’t have to be the boss to lead! Many books have been written about leading from wherever you are in an organization. Leaders lead from anywhere on the Org Chart.

You lead when you influence the organization’s direction. Perhaps it’s an innovation or special project. It could be fixing a problem, making a correction to procedures. Maybe how you lead is more personal: encouragement, mentorship, befriending, organizing.

But if you have been trying to contribute your leadership, and feel rebuffed or ignored, it’s time to ask yourself: “Have I outgrown this place and its culture?”

Look for the clues:

· Staff or board leaders are defensive.

· Decisions are made and goals are set without input, feedback or wisdom.

· You don’t feel safe bringing up your point of view or suggestions.

I promise there are other places who would welcome your leadership. I hope your colleagues would celebrate a new opportunity for you to lead in new ways. (If they don’t, that confirms your decision, doesn’t it?)

There is much more to say about systems that encourage people to stay and grow and lead…and about those systems that discourage good people and watch them disappear.

I have some guest responders for you to meet in the weeks to come. I’ve been reading their columns on Substack and reached out to ask them to collaborate! You will thank me later.

.The editor of “To Be a Fundraiser” is Kelly Wendell, Coordinator of Communication for South Dakota State University.